Guest Toilet Etiquette..?! | ExpatWoman.com
 

Guest Toilet Etiquette..?!

5
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 December 2017 - 09:58

I have two regular guests who do not have much in the way of manners when it comes to staying at someone's home for a few days.. There are a number of issues but the one I am concerned with today is their toilet etiquette.

Every time they leave us after a few days' stay, their ensuite toilet is left in a state which is, let's say, 'well used'. I then have the unenviable task of clearing up the mess inside the toilet bowl and this makes me feel at times disgusted at other times completely furious! They have been doing this for about nine years, ever since they had an ensuite joined to the room in which they stay. It feels like some sort of pronouncement on the quality of their stay, as if we have not looked after them enough and they are saying in a nasty way that our performance wasn't up to scratch. Perhaps a sort of 'this is what we thought of our stay' or 'here's something to clean up'. It makes me so cross!

I have nearly plucked up the courage to ask the female guest (politely, quietly, away from the others so as to minimize any subsequent embarrassment) to check the toilet before leaving us but this morning I mentioned my intention to my husband and he asked me not to do so in case it spoiled the last bit of time they had with us before their onward holiday...

What on earth should I do?! I thought about making a pretty sign and putting it in a frame on the wall, saying 'please leave as you would wish to find' or similar... But isn't that just too ridiculous after nine years of them soiling and leaving? Is it a case of me being overly fussy and I just need to put up and shut up? Should I just pay a cleaner to come in and sort it out once they've left (actually I'd be too embarrassed about the mess and probably end up cleaning it beforehand anyway!!)

If it was up to me I would never want these guests to return (I've been feeling like that for years!) but they are really guests of my husband and so it is not my place to refuse them. My husband has offered to clear the mess but I haven't the heart to make him!

Sorry a lot of fuss over nothing (?) just feeling a bit fed up this morning!

Any suggestions on how to deal with this with minimal fuss, but without having to get my hands dirty, so to speak!

Thank you!

1
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 April 2018 - 19:45
We have had guests who leave such mess as its their standards of hygiene ...beyond our circle of concern or influence.... so I arrange for outside cleaners to come twice a week during guests stay n...
Hi bubble_trubble! Not sure if there is anyway to send you a private message. I saw in a few posts from 2012 you helping one user with some tips about EK interviews. Any way you can help with some tips for a grade 9 position?
279
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 January 2018 - 20:27
I have two regular guests who do not have much in the way of manners when it comes to staying at someone's home for a few days.. There are a number of issues but the one I am concerned with today is their toilet etiquette. Every time they leave us after a few days' stay, their ensuite toilet is left in a state which is, let's say, 'well used'. I then have the unenviable task of clearing up the mess inside the toilet bowl and this makes me feel at times disgusted at other times completely furious! They have been doing this for about nine years, ever since they had an ensuite joined to the room in which they stay. It feels like some sort of pronouncement on the quality of their stay, as if we have not looked after them enough and they are saying in a nasty way that our performance wasn't up to scratch. Perhaps a sort of 'this is what we thought of our stay' or 'here's something to clean up'. It makes me so cross! I have nearly plucked up the courage to ask the female guest (politely, quietly, away from the others so as to minimize any subsequent embarrassment) to check the toilet before leaving us but this morning I mentioned my intention to my husband and he asked me not to do so in case it spoiled the last bit of time they had with us before their onward holiday... What on earth should I do?! I thought about making a pretty sign and putting it in a frame on the wall, saying 'please leave as you would wish to find' or similar... But isn't that just too ridiculous after nine years of them soiling and leaving? Is it a case of me being overly fussy and I just need to put up and shut up? Should I just pay a cleaner to come in and sort it out once they've left (actually I'd be too embarrassed about the mess and probably end up cleaning it beforehand anyway!!) If it was up to me I would never want these guests to return (I've been feeling like that for years!) but they are really guests of my husband and so it is not my place to refuse them. My husband has offered to clear the mess but I haven't the heart to make him! Sorry a lot of fuss over nothing (?) just feeling a bit fed up this morning! Any suggestions on how to deal with this with minimal fuss, but without having to get my hands dirty, so to speak! Thank you! Hi sassy, Just to let you know the ‘ toilet light’ you can find in dragon mart 1 , got one for my son for Christmas for a laugh , cost about 35 aed ?
20
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 January 2018 - 12:29
SassyM, interesting post ;) I have had similar problems in the past. I understand your passive aggressive attempts to deal with your guests...but in my experience, there are only two ways to deal with it: 1) keep quiet and deal with it, and don't trouble your husband with it - they're his friends and he will only feel frustrated about being stuck in the middle. 2) say something direct - for instance, if you don't have a housemaid, say directly to the woman that you don't have help and would appreciate her help with cleaning and noticed the toilet is especially dirty. Don't apologise, just say it! Sorry but I see this as a female issue. If my husband and children and I stay somewhere (he happens to be meticulously clean)...I make sure that I clean up after everyone. It's normal that a woman would make sure that's done. It's really not your problem that her mother didn't teach her manners! Why are some people so dirty?
5
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 January 2018 - 11:04
I should be doing other things - but have just noticed on Amazon uk an item you might like to use regarding referred to offending guests and their WC bowl - it's called CAXMTU 8 coloured Toilet night light - seems to give off multi lights in the toilet bowl - had 277 reviews! Only £6.59!! Thank you all soooo much for taking the time to respond to my post! It's so good to hear from other people who feel the same way as I do!! I was beginning to see myself as such a horrible person who was just being way too fussy and critical and taking everything too personally! dollybird, ranstone, Dubai_Lover, bingo12, Wife of 777 you have all made me feel so much better (and made me laugh a few times too which is always good!) I will certainly take all of these suggestions on board! What a great idea about the toilet light!!! I think it will really highlight the 'beauty' of a clean toilet bowl and hopefully encourage them to keep it that way!! It looks good on Amazon so I'm definitely going to order it : ) thank you!!!! My husband promises that on our guests' inevitable return (unfortunately no choice in this matter) he will point out the toilet brush - and I'll ask him to mention the toilet bleach as well (which I will make sure is of the super-strong variety!) These particular guests have now vacated the premises : ) and just by way of an update: They managed to leave all four sides of the toilet bowl in a mess this time (I think this is a record even for them!) plus they somehow got some on the seat!!!! You really have to see it to believe it! They seem to have no pride whatsoever (or perhaps just really hate me!?) So I am going to hold my husband to his promise! As it seemed from your posts and my discussions with him, that it would probably be better to mention it in a jokey way at the start of the visit, rather than leave any bitter tastes in people's mouths at the end. Anyway, I'm really just hoping it's not for a long time yet! Happy 2018 to you all and thanks again : ) Yes I forgot to say that these guests stayed with us on their outward and return journeys from a holiday, and in between I did not clean the toilet by way of a protest!!!! I cleaned the rest of the bathroom, but other than that just shut the door and did not enter (even though the thought of it for nearly two weeks repulsed me!) as I decided that if they saw the 'used' toilet on their return they might feel guilty and clean it. They did not! The only trouble is that now it's caked on 'good and proper' so it's cleaning will be harder than ever! It serves me right for this frightful behaviour but it was worth the experiment!
5
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 January 2018 - 10:54
I should be doing other things - but have just noticed on Amazon uk an item you might like to use regarding referred to offending guests and their WC bowl - it's called CAXMTU 8 coloured Toilet night light - seems to give off multi lights in the toilet bowl - had 277 reviews! Only £6.59!! Thank you all soooo much for taking the time to respond to my post! It's so good to hear from other people who feel the same way as I do!! I was beginning to see myself as such a horrible person who was just being way too fussy and critical and taking everything too personally! dollybird, ranstone, Dubai_Lover, bingo12, Wife of 777 you have all made me feel so much better (and made me laugh a few times too which is always good!) I will certainly take all of these suggestions on board! What a great idea about the toilet light!!! I think it will really highlight the 'beauty' of a clean toilet bowl and hopefully encourage them to keep it that way!! It looks good on Amazon so I'm definitely going to order it : ) thank you!!!! My husband promises that on our guests' inevitable return (unfortunately no choice in this matter) he will point out the toilet brush - and I'll ask him to mention the toilet bleach as well (which I will make sure is of the super-strong variety!) These particular guests have now vacated the premises : ) and just by way of an update: They managed to leave all four sides of the toilet bowl in a mess this time (I think this is a record even for them!) plus they somehow got some on the seat!!!! You really have to see it to believe it! They seem to have no pride whatsoever (or perhaps just really hate me!?) So I am going to hold my husband to his promise! As it seemed from your posts and my discussions with him, that it would probably be better to mention it in a jokey way at the start of the visit, rather than leave any bitter tastes in people's mouths at the end. Anyway, I'm really just hoping it's not for a long time yet! Happy 2018 to you all and thanks again : )
279
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 December 2017 - 21:27
I have two regular guests who do not have much in the way of manners when it comes to staying at someone's home for a few days.. There are a number of issues but the one I am concerned with today is their toilet etiquette. Every time they leave us after a few days' stay, their ensuite toilet is left in a state which is, let's say, 'well used'. I then have the unenviable task of clearing up the mess inside the toilet bowl and this makes me feel at times disgusted at other times completely furious! They have been doing this for about nine years, ever since they had an ensuite joined to the room in which they stay. It feels like some sort of pronouncement on the quality of their stay, as if we have not looked after them enough and they are saying in a nasty way that our performance wasn't up to scratch. Perhaps a sort of 'this is what we thought of our stay' or 'here's something to clean up'. It makes me so cross! I have nearly plucked up the courage to ask the female guest (politely, quietly, away from the others so as to minimize any subsequent embarrassment) to check the toilet before leaving us but this morning I mentioned my intention to my husband and he asked me not to do so in case it spoiled the last bit of time they had with us before their onward holiday... What on earth should I do?! I thought about making a pretty sign and putting it in a frame on the wall, saying 'please leave as you would wish to find' or similar... But isn't that just too ridiculous after nine years of them soiling and leaving? Is it a case of me being overly fussy and I just need to put up and shut up? Should I just pay a cleaner to come in and sort it out once they've left (actually I'd be too embarrassed about the mess and probably end up cleaning it beforehand anyway!!) If it was up to me I would never want these guests to return (I've been feeling like that for years!) but they are really guests of my husband and so it is not my place to refuse them. My husband has offered to clear the mess but I haven't the heart to make him! Sorry a lot of fuss over nothing (?) just feeling a bit fed up this morning! Any suggestions on how to deal with this with minimal fuss, but without having to get my hands dirty, so to speak! Thank you! Good Lord Sweetheart, i have just read your other post about the duvet cover!!!!!! DO NOT HAVE THEM BACK , simple , disgusting people , your house, your rules, no no no, let them check into a hotel and pay for their stay. Sending you hugs
132
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 December 2017 - 19:48
You can get the cleaner while they at your house and tell them that she complained about the toilet being too dirty and so you are apologizing for them as the cleaner won't be cleaning it. Why blame the cleaner ...... just be honest with them :)
107
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 December 2017 - 19:16
You can get the cleaner while they at your house and tell them that she complained about the toilet being too dirty and so you are apologizing for them as the cleaner won't be cleaning it.
394
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 December 2017 - 17:44
I should be doing other things - but have just noticed on Amazon uk an item you might like to use regarding referred to offending guests and their WC bowl - it's called CAXMTU 8 coloured Toilet night light - seems to give off multi lights in the toilet bowl - had 277 reviews! Only £6.59!!
394
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 December 2017 - 14:05
Glad you found the water proof duvet covers!! Just thought - maybe these guests get upset stomach when they come to Dubai - some people do you know. I think it is the water(?!) You can give them a packet of Immodiem(?) Other wise feel sorry for ANYONE who has to clean up. Also - that sort of thing can spread germs /diseases etc. Having said that I did know American lady who moved to Uk - she had all her toilets change to wide bowled with heavy flushers so they were always clean!!.
132
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 December 2017 - 03:12
Are these the same people who made a mess of your bed ? (from your post about mattress cover ) Personally I wouldn't worry about the friendship if that's how they treat your home ..... if someone messed my bed and knowingly left sh!t in the toilet numerous times they would never step foot in my house again ..... I could make do without friends like that .... they clearly have zero respect !
319
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 December 2017 - 21:59
You should just get a grip and tell them to leave your house neat and tidy like they find it, otherwise they will have to look for other free holiday accommodation. Make sure you leave a new toilet brush and bottle of toilet cleaner , a sponge and spray cleaner.... You can say it in a jokey manner , that if they do not clean the bathroom / toilet then you won't have them to stay again..... Or if they really upset you this much , DONT HAVE THEM TO STAY ... there are sooo many other places they can stay.
5
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 December 2017 - 11:49
We have had guests who leave such mess as its their standards of hygiene ...beyond our circle of concern or influence.... so I arrange for outside cleaners to come twice a week during guests stay not burdening my live in domestic help. Why bother ruining relations for their hygiene...... thats my take. cheers Thank you! I think that's my husband's take too! Such sensible people you are! I always feel so up tight by the time they leave that the toilet situation is just the last straw! The other thing that upsets me about this is that the other person they stay with would NOT put up with this behavior and would tell them straight up that it was unacceptable.... I do not even think that they would dare to do such a thing when at her house!! So it feels like they are just treating us badly because they can! Oh well, I just hope it's a long time till they next visit ;)
594
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 December 2017 - 11:17
We have had guests who leave such mess as its their standards of hygiene ...beyond our circle of concern or influence.... so I arrange for outside cleaners to come twice a week during guests stay not burdening my live in domestic help. Why bother ruining relations for their hygiene...... thats my take. cheers
5
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 December 2017 - 10:02
PS yes these are the same offenders from my other post!!! Our other guests do seem to be toilet-trained!
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY